WEST HAM striker Guillermo Franco has blamed the Premier League's heavy fixture schedule for the injuries that the club have accumulated over the last few games.

Mark Noble hobbled off against Portsmouth on Boxing Day, while Scott Parker and Herita Ilunga both suffered hamstring injuries and were substituted within 20 minutes of the Hammers' 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Monday. Both players are expected to be missing for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie against Arsenal, although Noble could feature.

But the club's Mexican striker has criticised the festive feast of football that demands three games in a week for all top league clubs, claiming that it has led to the injuries the club are now forced to deal with.

“We lost Scott and Herita inside the first 20 minutes and it made it hard for us because they are important players," said Franco. "We have had two games in 48 hours and it is crazy – only in England do you play twice in such a short space of time. I have never done it before in my career, not in Argentina, Mexico or Spain. It's very difficult for everyone.

“I also feel very tired but we don't have too many players and we have some injuries, so I will take care of myself and will be back to help the team in 2010.”